Clay Branches

Does complaining count when you're alone?

Episode Description:In this episode of Clay Branches, I’m joined by Jess as we talk about preparing our hearts for the upcoming women’s conference. Jess shares what the Lord has been teaching her as she steps into her role as one of our keynote speakers—especially around how deeply God sees us, knows us, and loves us as women.Conference Information & Registration:📍 Harvest Spring Ladies' Conference📅 March 20-21, 2026🔗 https://subspla.sh/jk98jgdConnect with Jess:🛍️ Jess’s Shop: You can find Jess's shop on both Instagram and Facebook @sparrowsnestingplace and by clicking the link below.⁠http://www.sparrows⁠⁠nestingplace.com⁠🌿 Gems Ministry: https://atharvest.church/women-s-ministry📱 Follow Jess: https://www.facebook.com/sparrowsnestingplacehttps://www.instagram.com/sparrowsnestingplaceStay Connected:If this episode encouraged you, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review—it helps others find the podcast and be encouraged as well.Thank you for listening and walking this journey with us.

In this episode, I am joined by Heidi again, as we dive into scripture and think on the phrase "God won't give you more than you can handle."

For more information on the Christmas Market and Women's conference you can check out my church website atharvest.churchAlso, correction the women's conference is March 20-21.

Here are the quotes and verses I mentioned...Matthew 11:28 (I was way off and said Matthew 28:13...My Awana Leader was right, I would need the references one day)“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Psalm 23:2-3a He lets me lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside quiet waters.He renews my life;Isaiah 55:8-11 (I said 8-10...so close!)“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,and your ways are not my ways.”This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth,so my ways are higher than your ways,and my thoughts than your thoughts.For just as rain and snow fall from heavenand do not return therewithout saturating the earthand making it germinate and sprout,and providing seed to sowand food to eat,so my word that comes from my mouthwill not return to me empty,but it will accomplish what I pleaseand will prosper in what I send it to do.”"I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer" -Martin LutherLeave me a comment and let me know where your favorite place to rest is!If you have any questions you'd like addressed on the podcast, please send them my way!

Food For Thought:What are some action steps you need to take? (Be specific)How can you be more intentional in your prayer and bible reading this week?What visual would help you remember to leave it in God's hands?What attribute of His can you cling to in this season?

Food for thoughtAre there good hopes and desires in your life that have become an idol?Are there any areas in your life where you are trying to write your own story?What areas do you see God’s fingerprints in your own story?

Food for thought Have you found yourself wrestling with if you should or shouldn’t share the Gospel with someone?Has there been a situation where you did share the Gospel, and someone rejected it? How does this story change your perspective on rejection?3. What are some was you can grow in being intentional with sharing your faith?

Food for thought:1. Where in your life have you felt most alone—and how did God show up?2. What season in your life felt like a delay—but God used it for something deeper?3. How does knowing God is eternal change how you see your purpose today?4. What’s one small “good work” you can do this week, knowing God has prepared it in advance?Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/claybranches

Food for ThoughtWhat’s one way I can honor God with my body this week?Am I avoiding discipline or idolizing it?What does faithfulness look like for me in this season?

Praise – “Rejoice in the Lord always…” Start by worshiping God. Praise shifts your focus.Others – “Let your gentleness be evident…” Anxiety can turn us inward. Look outward and serve.Stop – “Do not be anxious about anything…” Interrupt the spiral of worry.Pray – “Present your requests to God…” Be honest. He cares.Praise Sandwich - "With thanksgiving"Rest – “The peace of God… will guard your hearts…” Peace doesn’t always make sense, but it’s real.Filter and Flip – “Whatever is true… think about such things.” Replace lies with truth.Practice and Repeat – “Put it into practice…” Do it again. And again.Food for thought: What’s been troubling you lately? What lie is the enemy whispering? What “what if” can you turn into an “even if”? Take some time this week to journal, surrender it to God, and choose praise.

Food for thoughtHow do you make rest part of your week?What are ways you need to make time with God a bigger priority?When you are weary, do you confuse distraction or escape with true rest? What would it look like to trust in God to give you rest?What promises can you rest in today?

Food for thoughtWhat are some thoughts that you need to take captive? Filter it through Phil 4:8How high is a priority in your life for Bible reading? How can you grow in this area?How is your praise life? Do you turn your thoughts to praise when you are going through trials?

Show Notes:A few of His promises-He is never going to leave you Heb 13:5-6 5 -Nothing can separate you from the love of God Rom 8:38-39 38 -He uses all things for good for them who love Him Rom 8:28-He who began a good work in your will be faithful to complete it Phil 1:6 Food for thoughtWhat are you Waiting for Right now in this season? Are you praising Him in the waiting period?If Jesus were to come back today, would you feel ready? Why or why not? If no, what needs to change?Do you fight against and complain to God about His timing? If so talk God about it and confess and sin

Show Notes:Food for thought1. Does your heart long for the Lord like the psalmist describes? What does your personal worship look like? How can you grow it this week?2. How is your corporate worship? Do you encourage others to worship and praise?3. Are there any idols in your life right now that are holding you back from worshiping the Lord fully? Remember 1 John 1:9, confess them to God. Make the radical change necessary to rid the idol from your life and fill its place with something God-honoring. Look up Eph 4:17-32 to see more about putting off and putting on.4. What is one of His attributes that you can meditate on and praise Him for today? There are many in Scripture, but here are the few we listed earlier. He is everywhere: Omnipresent He is all knowing: Omniscient He is all Powerful: OmnipotentGod is Holy He is truth: He doesn’t lieHe doesn’t changeHe is FaithfulHe is sovereign, He is Good! He is Merciful, He is Love,  He is Just, He is Infinite, He is Self-Sufficient  He is full of graceThank you for listening! Please help us by following and sharing this podcast with others!

Today, we discuss Easter and what it means to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. We also discuss six disciplines that help believers grow in their faith.Show notes: Food for thought​If you were to stand before God today and he asked you," Why should I let you into heaven?" What would you say? What are you counting on as your salvation? Is it anything other than grace through faith?​Have you ever written out your personal testimony of when you came to Faith? Is this something that you could share if somebody asked you about the hope the see in you? If not, my challenge to you would be to write out your testimony of when you first accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. A template would be: What was your life like before you received Christ, What led you to accept Christ, and What is your life like now?​How have you been growing lately? Six of the disciplines we mentioned were •Church attendance with sermon notes •Daily Bible Reading •Intentional Serving •Purposeful Prayer •Scripture Memory and •Discipleship through fellowship with other believers and sound doctrine booksHow are you doing in your own spiritual growth? What areas do you need to strengthen?

Today we share personal stories of how we have seen God’s provision in our lives and remind each other that God is sovereign even through the trials.Show notes:Food for thought1. In what ways have you seen God‘s provision in your life?2. If you are in a time of trial and waiting, I encourage you to read Psalm 27. Notice how the Psalmist speaks to his own soul and he reminds himself to trust in the Lord. Write down your own prayer to the Lord and remind yourself to trust in him.3. What are three things for you to be grateful for right now in this season?4. I would encourage you to make a playlist of praise songs that remind you who He is and help you praise Him through the trials.

Our first episode! Who we are, how we met, and how friendship and isolation draw us to Him.